What is the best dog-friendly pub in Derry / Londonderry? We’ve rounded up the top spots where you and your furry friend can enjoy a drink together.
Derry’s city centre isn’t short on great pubs but for dog owners, the real question is which ones will welcome your four-legged drinking buddy. Whether you’re after a lively spot for a pint with friends or a cosy corner to relax after a riverside walk, there are plenty of places in the city happy to see tails wagging through the door.
We’ve rounded up the best dog-friendly pubs in Derry / Londonderry, with details on their atmosphere, rules (if any), and what’s on offer for both you and your pup. So grab the lead, pick your spot, and get ready for a pint with your best mate by your side.
Sandinos Café Bar
Sandinos is a bohemian, punk-rock style pub where dogs are truly welcome. Canine companions are allowed inside during daytime coffee hours up until 8pm. There are also sidewalk tables out front where you can sit with your dog. No food is served here, so there’s no kitchen restrictions – just keep your pup on a leash and well-behaved.
Sandinos has an eclectic, artsy atmosphere with frequent live music and a friendly vibe, making it a top choice for dog owners seeking a relaxed pint. Water bowls are usually available on request, and staff (and regulars) often dole out plenty of attention and the odd treat to visiting pooches.
Badgers Bar & Restaurant
A classic Victorian-style pub known for hearty food and a lively crowd. Dogs are permitted at certain tables typically in the bar area away from main dining, it’s best to ring ahead or ask staff upon arrival. They’ll try to accommodate you if space allows.
Dogs should be leashed and kept under control. Badgers has no beer garden, but it does have a small outdoor seating area on the pavement which is dog-friendly in good weather.
Inside Badgers Bar and Restaurant, you’ll find a warm, traditional pub atmosphere with memorabilia (including a Derry Girls mural) on the walls. Live music and quiz nights add to the buzz. Water bowls can be provided, and the staff are welcoming, but note that during peak dining hours it gets busy – so quieter times are preferable if bringing your dog.
Guildhall Taphouse
A modern gastropub housed in a 19th-century building, just opposite the Guildhall Taphouse. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area (which is heated and covered) but not inside the dining room. This enclosed patio is perfect for enjoying one of their craft beers with your pup by your side. Staff will often bring a water bowl out, and dogs must stay on leash.
The atmosphere is cosy and upbeat, wooden beams, fairy lights, and often live trad music on Wednesdays. It’s popular for food (haloumi salads, pork belly, etc.), so if you’re planning to eat outside with your dog, try for non-peak times or be patient. Overall, the Taphouse offers a great blend of craft beer and comfort, and the only restriction is that furry friends chill in the beer garden area (where they’ll get plenty of pats from passing patrons).
The Rocking Chair Bar
Known locally as “The Rocker,” this pub is famed for its rooftop beer garden and lively music scene. Dogs are allowed in the beer garden areas – both the beer garden and Terrace. The front section at street level has a few tables facing Butcher Gate, and there’s a roomy split-level courtyard out back with bench seating and views over the city walls. Pooches are welcome in these outdoor spaces; just keep them leashed and avoid bringing them during late-night peak hours (when the gardens can get crowded with revelers).
The Rocking Chair does serve food (pub grub and street-food style bites), but dogs outside won’t be an issue. The staff here are very accommodating, they’ve been known to greet canine guests with a friendly rub and supply water bowls readily. The atmosphere is upbeat and youthful, with live bands or DJs often playing but daytime and early evenings are more low-key and suitable for dogs.
On a calm afternoon, you might even find a few fellow dog owners enjoying pints on the patio. In cooler months, heaters and a covered section keep the outdoor area comfortable. In short, “The Rocker” is well worth a visit for its craic, and you won’t have to leave your best friend at home to enjoy it.
The Library Bar (Everglades Hotel)
Set within the Everglades Hotel on Prehen Road, the Library Bar is a calm, comfy spot that actively welcomes dogs. Pups are allowed inside the bar, staff are quick with water bowls, and there’s even a puppuccino on offer. Expect relaxed lunches, an extensive cocktail menu, and light evening plates in a cosy, classic setting.
After a walk or a spin around the city, this is an easy place to settle in while your dog stretches out under the table. Friendly service, clear dog-friendly signage, and those puppuccinos make it a handy go-to for locals and visitors alike.
Whether you’re after a quiet stout by a fireplace or a noisy night of live music in a beer garden, you’ll find a pub on this list where you and your canine pal will be welcomed with open arms (and perhaps the occasional biscuit).
Enjoy your pup pub crawl in Derry/ Londonderry.
